Are you ready for a fun sketch challenge?  I enjoyed putting together this card for the Try Stampin' on Tuesday challenge #273.  

The Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #273 has a sketch and an optional theme and this week I incorporated both.

Optional theme: Butterflies

Product List

Acorny Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set [139718] $15.00	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974] $6.50	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686] $7.00	Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131198] $7.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $8.50
Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper [140550] $5.00	Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack [138435] $22.00	Bold Butterfly Framelits Dies [138135] $17.00	Butterflies Thinlits Dies [137360] $25.00

Be sure to go to the Try Stampin' on Tuesday blog to see  what the other Design Team members created with this sketch.  Lots of great ideas and inspiration.   Remember you have 2 weeks to stamp along with the challenge.  We would love to have you join in the fun!

I separated out my current stamp sets from those retiring and my stamp shelf definitely looks a little bare.  One positive is I am now very aware of sets that did not get enough use and can remedy that situation while I wait to order some new sets.  Garden in Bloom is one such set.    This is such a lovely set with great images and sentiments which is why I ordered it so why haven't I used it?   

I also decided to play  with the new In Colors.  Today I am playing with Sweet SugarPlum. Whenever  I start playing with the new In Colors, I feel like I am on an awkward first date.  Just not sure about the whole thing.  I used So Saffron and Mint Macaron along with the Sweet SugarPlum.   I think it works but like a first date, time will tell it it is a keeper combo or not.

I added a layer of vellum over the stamped image to tone it down a bit and don't you love that soft slightly out of focus look?    I also stamped some little bees and embossed them with white embossing powder with a little Dazzling Diamonds mixed in.  The bees add just a little sparkle to the card.  

Have a great Memorial Day weekend and I hope you get some time to inky!!

It is time for another Create with Connie and Mary Color Challenge.  This color combination is so light and airy very Spring like.  

Remember a couple of weeks ago I was moaning about the all neutral color combination?  I was so happy to see this all pastel color challenge.

I used the Flower Shop stamp set and coordinating punch, Pansy.   The leaves were punched out using the Bird Builder punch which is retiring. Also retiring is the  Itty Bitty Accents punch I used  for the So Saffron flowers. I am definitely going to miss those 2 punches.  

Do you see the curved scalloped edge?  I used the Oval Collection framelits to cut that out along the front.  Isn't it cool looking?  

Be sure to check out what the other Challenge team members made with this color combination.  I am in awe of the talent and creativity of the team.  Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you will play along with Create with Connie and Mary Challenge.

I didn't play with this suite of products nearly enough.  I have been working on Father's Day projects and this set is perfect for that.  

Isn't it great to have silver glittery lucky stars?  Instead of using the Going Places DSP stack I used the Typeset DSP. I lightly brushed the Craft White ink pad over the embossed image to highlight the lines.  Looks pretty cool without much work.

Product List

Going Global Clear-Mount Stamp Set [140748] $19.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad [101731] $8.00	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [120953] $7.00
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $7.00	Delightful Dijon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138338] $7.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $8.50	Silver Glimmer Paper [135314] $5.00
Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper [133704] $13.00	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack [133787] $17.00	Deco Labels Framelits Die [130102] $25.00	Basic Black Baker's Twine [134576] $3.00

My copy of the catalog is full of post it note flags.  These flags mark all the samples I want to recreate.  I marked the Six-Sided Sampler card on page 105 and I  finally get to remove the flag.  The Six Sided Sampler and Hexagon punch will be retiring in just a few days, so I knew I had to get it made.

My card looks almost exactly like the one in the catalog.  I did use a slightly different color combination and added a few more rhinestones but that is it. 

Product List

Six-Sided Sampler Clear Stamp Set [130956] $19.00	Gorgeous Grunge Clear Stamp Set [130517] $18.00	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [126982] $6.50	Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [131172] $6.50	Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin' Pad [138325] $6.50
Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101910] $8.00	Silver Glimmer Paper [135314] $5.00	Hexagon Punch [130919] $16.00	Bold Butterfly Framelits Dies [138135] $17.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments [119246] $5.00

Don't miss out on your favorite retiring stamp sets!  

I made this card for the May Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop .   I first made this style of card  back in February for a challenge.  You can see that card here.  This is a fun card to make and receive.  I don't know the proper name of this fold so for now I am calling it a Sliding Easel card.   Ready to get started?  Here we go!

Step 1.

Layer these 3 as shown in the picture above.

    *4-1/4" x 5-1/2"  Bermuda Bay CS

    *4" x  5-1/4"  Shine On DSP

    *3-3/4" x 5" Whisper White CS

Step 2.

Layer these 2 as shown in the picture above.

    *3-3/4" x 4-1/4" Pool Party CS, scored at 3-3/4"

    *3-1/2" x 3-1/2" Shine On DSP

Decorate as desired.

Step 3.

1" x 2-1/2" Bermuda Bay CS, scored at each end at 1/2"

1-1/4" x 4" Shine On DSP

1-1/2" x 10-1/2" Bermuda Bay CS, scored at 4", 8-1/4"

Layer the Shine On DSP on to the middle section of the 1-1/2" x 10-1/2" Bermuda Bay CS.  Punch out a half circle in the center of the DSP using a 1" circle punch.

Fold the ends back along the score lines and using the half circle you just punched as a template punch again.

Attach the band to the piece you made in Step 2.   

Step 4. 

Here comes the hardest part of this whole card and really, it isn't very hard at all!

Take the 1" x 2-1/2" piece of Bermuda Bay CS and apply adhesive (something strong like Tear and Tape or Fast Fuse) to one of the 1/2" end sections.  Position this piece 1/8"-1/4" below the edge of the Whisper White CS.   Add some adhesive to the other end (see photo below).

Now we are going to attach the piece you constructed in step 3 to the card base.  Position the piece from step 3 so it covers the Whisper White layer and press down to attach it to the 1" x 2-1/2" Bermuda Bay piece.

This is what the view from the top looks like.

Now lay it flat and wrap the ends of the band around the card base and secure just the ends of the band to each other with adhesive. The band is what moves the panel up and down.

To stamp the inside of the card move the band up until the easel stands up and mark where you need to stamp or just stamp.

I hope this tutorial will help you to make your own sliding easel card.  If you have questions leave me a comment or send me an email.  When you place an online order with me in May, I will send you this card or a similar one AND the paper parts to make your own sliding easel card.  Just a little thank you bonus for shopping with me.   Click here to visit my online store .  Thank you!

It is Thursday and time for the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge.  This week it is a sketch challenge and it is a pretty straight forward one.  

I was extremely faithful to the sketch.  I think my brain needed a rest after last weeks color challenge.

The cool border design is from the Summer Silhouettes stamp set which will be retiring at the end of May.  I added some Baker's Twine to the borders to add a little more color.  The Baker's Twine is also retiring and it comes in a 2 pack with a twine that is Basic Black/Mint Macaron.  

The Melon Mambo flower is from the Crazy About You stamp set which is not retiring.  Yay!  I am sad that the Bird Builder punch is retiring.  I use that punch a lot.  The little bird wing makes a perfect leaf.  

The "thanks" is from Cottage Greetings.  This set will also be in the upcoming catalog.  I love the font and sentiments in this set.  

I hope you will join in the challenge.  You can go to the Create with Connie and Mary blog to get all the details on the challenge.  Be sure to check out what all the designers created for this challenge.  Lots of great ideas and inspiration.  

Are you ready for another fun Try Stampin' On Tuesday challenge?  Here is the sketch.

This is what I designed for the challenge.

This card mixes a little new, a little current and a little retiring product.  The black lines were cut using the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits.  These dies coordinate with the Swirly Bird stamp set which will be available on June 1, 2016 for purchase.  I cut the flowers using the Botanical Builder framelits that debuted in the Occasions catalog and will be in the new catalog as well.  The flowers were cut in Real Red, Basic Black and Dazzling Diamond Glimmer paper.   EveryDay Chic Designer Series Paper which is retiring was used for the card front.  

Click here to check out what the other designers created for this challenge.  Lots of great ideas!  I hope you will join us and play along with the Try Stampin' On Tuesday challenge #271.

Welcome to the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop!  This month our theme is Masculine May.   Before I show you the card I made I want to welcome Sandi Maciver!  She is the newest member of the Stamper's Dozeb Blog Hop.  Unfortunately that means we are saying goodbye to Josee!    We will miss you!

My card is a mix of retiring, current and sneak peek products.  May is always a little crazy that way.

New Products:  I used a new stamp set called Swirly Bird to stamp the cute sailboat.   The Swirly Bird stamp set has a coordinating framelit called Swirly Scribbles Thinlits and they will be available as a bundle in the new catalog.  I used the thinlits to cut out the sun and the "waves".  

Current Products:  I used the banner die from the Large Number Framelits.  The inside sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and it  will also be in the new catalog.  I used Bermuda Bay, Pool Party , Crushed Curry(sun), Daffodil Delight and Whisper White card stock.  The ink colors I used, Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, Old Olive, Real Red.

Retiring Products: I am sad to see the Shine On Specialty DSP is retiring.  I love those silver clouds and I was pleased to find the wavy Bermuda Bay design on the back of the sheet that has the silver raindrops.  The sentiment "world's best dad" is from the Going Global stamp set that is also retiring.

I will be posting a tutorial next week on how to make this card fold.  It is very easy and a lot of fun to make.  Now it is time for you to go and see what France Martin has in store for you.  She always has something fun to share!

Remember you can also go the other direction and see what the creative BJ Peters has stamped up for you!

Remember to check back to see the tutorial or you can also subscribe to the blog's feed.  Thank you for stopping by and enjoy all the stops on the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop Masculine May!

it is time for another Create with Connie and Mary Color Challenge.  I have to tell you, I found this one to be a really big challenge!  Ready to see it?

Before I show you what I made I have to tell you a story about this week's challenge.  If you don't already know this I tend to do things at the last minute.  I have been trying to get better at this and so last week I decided to get my challenge card done early.   I was so proud of myself!   I posted the card to the designer's site and a few days later I decided to write up the blog post.  I pulled out the card and realized that I used the wrong colors!  I quickly deleted the picture and had to start all over again.  I guess I really did not want to use the colors in the challenge.  

I inked  the Watercolor Wash background stamp in Smoky Slate and stamped it on Crumb Cake card stock.  The Smoky Slate swirly piece was cut using the a die from the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits which will be debuting in the 2016-17 Stampin' Up! catalog.    The butterfly was cut using the Bold Butterfly framelits in Basic Gray.  I embossed the butterfly using Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  I thought the card needed a little sparkle since the colors are all  neutral.  Along the edge I used a strip of patterned paper from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack.  

I hope you will stamp along with the Create with Connie and Mary challenge.  Be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created.  They are brilliant and created some fabulous cards.